PhD Candidate in Zebrafish Neuroscience
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate to pursue doctoral studies while gaining research experience in neuroscience. The project investigates brain development, glia, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, using zebrafish and cutting-edge genetics, omics, imaging, and data analysis techniques.
You will join an international team led by Dr Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi, with opportunities for collaboration, career development, and mentoring.
Qualifications
- An academically relevant background within neuroscience.
- Admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme is required.
- Master's degree in life science/neuroscience with a major independent project (≥30 ECTS).
- Master's degree must be obtained by the application deadline.
- Strong academic record (average grade equal to or better than NTNU's B-equivalent).
- Proficient in English (oral and written).
- Experience with animals, preferably zebrafish, and strong laboratory skills.
- Programming experience (Matlab, Python).
Responsibilities
- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
- Carry out high-quality, reproducible research within the project framework.
- Disseminate findings through publications and outreach.
- Participate in international collaborations, workshops, and conferences.
- Engage in research activities within the Jurisch-Yaksi group.
- Be prepared for changes to duties during the employment period.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.
The position is in the research group led by Dr Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi, which consists of an international team of biologists and neuroscientists. The main scientific goal of our research group is to understand principles underlying brain development and function, with a strong emphasis on the role of glia, brain barriers and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. More information is available at https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/nathalie.jurisch-yaksi.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
The overall goal of this project is to uncover the biological mechanisms that promote resilience to adversity. Specifically, we aim to determine how non-neuronal processes, including brain barrier systems and glial cells, regulate neural circuits that enable adaptation to a wide range of challenges, including environmental and social stressors, injuries and diseases.
You will primarily work with zebrafish as an in vivo model system and employ a broad range of cutting-edge approaches, including genetics, omics technologies, histology, advanced microscopy, behavioral analysis, and computational data analysis. This multidisciplinary project offers the opportunity to gain expertise across multiple experimental and analytical techniques in a collaborative environment while contributing to fundamental discoveries in neuroscience.
Please read our recent publications to familiarize with research questions, techniques and approaches used in our research group.
- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
- Carry out research of good quality and reproducibility within the framework described above
- Disseminate research findings through academic publications and popular science outreach
- Participate in research activities in the Jurisch-Yaksi group https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/nathalie.jurisch-yaksi
- Participate in international activities including collaborations, workshops and conferences
- A possibility of other career-promoting work can be decided together with the PhD candidate during the employment period.
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
- You must have an academically relevant background within neuroscience.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme (link), see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
- You must have a relevant Master's degree in life science, neuroscience, or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. The master's degree must have been obtained by the time of application deadline.
- You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
- Good oral and written presentation skills in English
- The following expertise is required:
- proven experience working with animals, preferably zebrafish
- technical skills in laboratory work
- skills in programming languages such as Matlab, Python or equivalent
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.
- Certification for animal experimentation (CareIn course in Norway or FELASA equivalent)
- Proven experience working with zebrafish at various developmental stages
- Technical skills in molecular and cellular biology, immunostaining, imaging and genetics
- Prior experience in neuroscience research, including measuring animal behaviour and brain imaging
- Hands-on experience in quantitative data analysis and data processing using programming languages.
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
- Work independently and in a cross-disciplinary team
- Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
- Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
- Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
- Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
- An exciting job with an important mission in society
- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
- Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Working capital that can be used to implement the project
- Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
- Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
- Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.
- In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
- The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work, with the possibility of up to 1 year of career promoting work.
- For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biology within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.
- As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
- For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
- The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- CV
- Summary of Master's thesis. The master's degree must have been obtained by the time of application deadline.
- A one-page research plan (minimum font size: 11 pt) describing the research questions you would like to address and the methodological approaches you would use within the scope of our research group and the project outlined above. Please include 1-2 sentences describing the potential use of AI tools. Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
- Possibly certificates
- Names and contact information of three relevant referees
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi nathalie.jurisch-yaksi@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Alexander Skomakerstuen, e-mail: alexander.skomakerstuen@ntnu.no.
is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
We work with global challenges in natural diversity, climate, the environment, health and nutrition. Our expertise in biological processes at all levels – from molecules to ecosystems – contributes to a sustainable society. The Department educate graduates for a wide range of careers in public administration, business and academia. The Department of Biology is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi
Førsteamanuensis
nathalie.jurisch-yaksi@ntnu.no
Alexander Skomakerstuen
HR konsulent
alexander.skomakerstuen@ntnu.no
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